Best Moving Companies (May 2024 Guide)

International Van Lines (USDOT #: 2293832) is our top pick for a full-service moving company. This recognition is largely thanks to its competitive rates and breadth of services. IVL offers full-service, partial-service, and self-service options for local and long-distance moves anywhere in the country. Full-service options include packing and unpacking, specialty services for pianos and antiques, and storage.

IVL achieved an impressive 4.9 out of 5 stars, one of our highest scores. Here’s how it did in each of our key categories:

• Moving services (59 out of 59 points): IVL offers a full spectrum of moving services, including full-pack, partial-pack, and specialty options for delicate items.
• Insurance coverage (8 out of 8 points): It scores all points because of its flexible insurance plans.
• Scheduling (8 out of 8 points): IVL’s scheduling and quote process stands out for its simplicity and ease, with multiple communication channels such as email and phone.
• Additional benefits (10 out of 13 points): This was the only area where IVL lost a few points. It lacks financing and DIY options such as truck rentals but provides comprehensive storage services and sells packing materials.
• Customer service (12 out of 12 points): IVL maintains a positive online reputation, with minimal incidents, such as only one crash report in the past two years on its FMCSA profile.

IVL offers full-service moving options, which means you can either pack your items yourself or have its team pack them. To make difficult moves stress-free and simple, IVL also provides several add-on services. These services include the following:

• Bulky item relocation
• Large vehicle shipping
• Motorcycle shipping
• Piano moving
• Temporary or permanent storage

IVL provides a fairly quick quote process for all moves. You can get an estimate via its cost calculator or submit your contact information and move information via a quote form on its website for an in-depth estimate. We got the following sample quote from an IVL representative over the phone.

• Long-distance sample quote: $2,519–$4,306 (two-bedroom move from Portland, Oregon, to San Francisco)
• Local sample quote: $2,519–$4,306 (two-bedroom move from Dallas to Austin)
• Deposit: 25%
• Payment accepted: Cash, cashier’s check, credit card (deposit only), money order

IVL features an A rating on the BBB, although it’s worth noting that it isn’t accredited. Reviews generally applaud IVL’s prompt service, yet some customers expressed concerns about quality discrepancies across different locations.

Recent Reddit discussions shed light on instances where customers reported potential alterations to their quotes by IVL’s partners. Ultimately, your experience with this nationwide moving company may hinge on the performance of the local agents operating in your area.

IVL’s customer rating on Better Business Bureau is 3.47 out of 5, which is fairly high for movers on that platform. Negative reviews mention difficulty with communication after booking and poor communication on services to be rendered, a common complaint among brokers. However, its positive reviews mention the quality work completed by the movers themselves. Here’s what recent customers had to say:

“Our precious possessions, like glass top dining table and daybed, were handled carefully throughout the move, and we can’t thank the crew enough! The moving unit took great care to safeguard all the items and pack the truck efficiently so that everything could be accommodated.” —Jasmin via Google Reviews in March 2023

“I was impressed with John’s commitment to sustainability. They used friendly packing materials and made sure to dispose of any waste responsibly. It was great to see a moving company that cares about the environment.” —Bertha via Google Reviews in March 2023

American Van Lines (USDOT #: 614506) provides experienced, consistent, and reliable moving labor with full-service options. Its labor quality is largely responsible for its high placement on our rating scale. The company exclusively hires full-time movers, as opposed to the more common method of contract-based work. American Van Lines’ workers average 10 years of moving experience, making them some of the best movers available for a wide range of services, including packing, unpacking, loading, and unloading.

American Van Lines secured a rating of 4.4 out of 5 stars and performed as follows in our key categories: 

• Moving services (59 out of 59 points): American Van Lines provides specialized services delivered by highly trained professionals, offering both partial-pack and full-pack move options to suit your preferences.
• Insurance coverage (8 out of 8 points): The company offers a range of insurance levels, including adjustable full value protection plans, allowing you to tailor coverage to match your move’s budget and requirements.
• Scheduling (4 out of 8 points): American Van Lines offers scheduling exclusively via phone. Additionally, its customer service hours are limited to 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. EST Monday through Friday and 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. EST on Saturdays, with closure on Sundays.
• Additional benefits (8 out of 13 points): It provides fewer supplementary benefits than IVL, omitting financing plans and DIY services from its offerings.
• Customer service (9 out of 12 points): American Van Lines maintains a positive online reputation across the BBB and Google Reviews. However, it’s worth noting that some of its trucks reportedly fail federal inspections regularly.

American Van Lines provides a unique service for moving that guarantees the safety of your fragile items. Its moving teams offer full-service packing, including carefully wrapping and protecting your delicate belongings. Here are some other services provided by the company:

• Corporate relocation
• Military relocation 
• Online shipment tracking
• Temporary and permanent storage
• White-glove relocation of artwork and antiques

American Van Lines provides binding estimates, so you receive a fixed rate that won’t change during your move. Other companies may adjust their prices based on unexpected events or changes during a move, but American Van Lines guarantees your quote.

We pulled the following sample quote from the company’s website.

• Long-distance sample quote: $4,544 (two-bedroom move from Portland, Oregon, to San Francisco)
• Local sample quote: $3,854 (two-bedroom move from Dallas to Austin)
• Deposit: Up to 50% up-front
• Payment accepted: Cash, cashier’s check, credit card, money order, and traveler’s check

American Van Lines boasts an A+ rating and a solid customer review score of 4.1 out of 5 stars, reflecting high service quality. Customers particularly commend the company’s pricing structure, with flat-rate quotes simplifying the moving process. However, a few negative reviews highlighted challenges in communication with moving crews. A recent Reddit thread praised American Van Lines for its efficient moving labor during a two-day move.

Interstate Moving & Relocation Group (IMRG) (USDOT #: 3034100) is an interstate broker that serves as an intermediary agent connecting you with movers in its network. This mover’s business model can save you major hassle by allowing it to negotiate with providers to find the price and service offerings that match your needs. With its movers driving routes across the country, IMRG often has the flexibility to schedule moving dates on shorter notice than competitors such as IVL and American Van Lines. Its expedited quote process, in our experience, leads to same-day or next-day binding estimates.

IMRG scored a rating of 4.4 out of 5 stars. Here’s how it did in each category: 

• Moving services (59 out of 59 points): IMRG offers many moving packages, including full-service and partial-service options.
• Insurance coverage (5 out of 8 points): The company offers two insurance plans: a partial-value and a full value protection plan.
• Scheduling (8 out of 8 points): IMRG offers convenient communication channels via phone and online platforms.
• Additional benefits (6 out of 13 points): IMRG provides a decent selection of supplementary benefits but doesn’t guarantee access to DIY moving options, financing, or storage services.
• Customer service (9 out of 12 points): IMRG maintains a positive online reputation thanks to its helpful customer service, a notable rarity among many brokers. Additionally, our research indicates that its trucks consistently pass inspections, with no reported accidents in the past two years, according to its FMCSA profile.

IMRG brokers moving services to companies capable of handling long-distance, local, and international relocation. Its partners include various full-service movers and budget-friendly container shipping companies, allowing you to plan the best move for your needs. You can also request the following additional moving services: 

• Cleaning
• Junk removal
• Piano moving
• Vehicle shipping

We contacted an IMRG sales representative to discuss our moving needs. For the sample quote below, we selected self-packing, only requesting assistance loading and unloading our shipment. A full-pack service would add to the total cost.

• Long-distance sample quote: $3,823–$4,824 (two-bedroom move from Portland, Oregon, to San Francisco)
• Local sample quote: $4,824 (two-bedroom move from Dallas to Austin)
• Deposit: Up to 33%
• Payment accepted: Credit card and check

IMRG holds a B rating on the BBB. Positive reviews highlight the company’s commitment to transparent pricing and operational efficiency, reflecting the high caliber of its partner companies. During our research, we found obtaining customized pricing was straightforward, contributing to a seamless experience.

U-Pack’s (USDOT #: 2946400) DIY-centric service model allows for driveway-to-driveway delivery of portable moving and storage containers at reasonable prices without any hidden fees or the need for in-home estimates. What’s unique about U-Pack is its pay-for-what-you-use space policy on its moving trailers. This option allows you to pay per foot on a moving trailer, making it more affordable for long-distance moves than full-service providers such as American Van Lines. Our research also showed that U-Pack is one of the cheapest professional movers available for long-distance movies. Its biggest drawback is that the company doesn’t offer services for moves less than 150 miles. 

U-Pack earned 3.5 out of 5 stars. Here’s how it did in each category:

• Moving services (40 out of 59 points): U-Pack specializes in long-distance moves, offering loading and packing labor through third-party partners. However, it doesn’t provide local moving services.
• Insurance coverage (5 out of 8 points): The company offers both a partial-value protection plan, mandated by federal law, and a full value plan, providing you with essential coverage options.
• Scheduling (4 out of 8 points): U-Pack conducts scheduling over the phone despite requiring extensive online input, which may inconvenience some customers seeking digital scheduling options.
• Additional benefits (11 out of 13 points): It impresses with a wide array of supplementary benefits, including DIY moving options, budgeting assistance, packing supplies for sale, and GPS tracking. However, it doesn’t offer financing plans.
• Customer service (9 out of 12 points): U-Pack generally garners positive reviews across popular review platforms. However, many of its trucks have reportedly failed FMCSA inspections, likely due to its association with ABF Freight, a major freight transportation company.

U-Pack is a company that specializes in portable storage container moves. It offers two options: a ReloCube moving container or a large trailer from ABF Freight. U-Pack allows a maximum of three days to load and three days to unload your belongings with either of these options.

The company provides some other services for long-distance moves that you can add to your move, including the following:

• Climate-controlled storage 
• Loading and unloading (via third-party)
• Packing and unpacking (via third-party)
• Military moves 
• Senior moves
• Student moves

Using U-Pack’s online instant quote tool, we received an estimate of $3,256 to book a trailer for a two-bedroom move from Portland, Oregon, to San Francisco. The cost to rent four ReloCubes for the same move would be $4,679. U-Pack doesn’t require deposits and provides fairly quick pricing estimates, making it a top option for DIY movers who have to book in a hurry.

• Long-distance ample quote: $3,256–$4,679 (two-bedroom move from Portland, Oregon, to San Francisco)
• Local sample quote: $2,205 (two-bedroom move from Dallas to Austin)
• Deposit: None
• Payment Accepted: Credit card, debit card, or PayPal

U-Pack has an A+ rating from the BBB and numerous positive reviews praising its professional drivers and sturdy containers. However, some disgruntled customers complained about billing disputes and missed delivery date windows. Negative reviews on Trustpilot frequently cite poor customer service as a pain point, but a deeper examination of recent Reddit threads reveals many users recount positive experiences with U-Pack’s competitive pricing and clear communication.

Safeway Moving Inc. (USDOT #: 3756000) is a Florida-based carrier that offers moving services across all 50 states. The company uses its team of movers and works with third-party agents who are thoroughly screened and vetted. The company’s website emphasizes its integrity, accountability, and commitment to communication. Additionally, Safeway goes above and beyond for senior citizens, training move coordinators to offer extra assistance to seniors during the moving process.

Safeway scored 4.1 out of 5 stars with our rating system. Here’s how it performed in key categories: 

• Moving services (59 out of 59 points): Safeway offers almost any moving service you may require, from partial to full packing to specialized services.
• Insurance coverage (5 out of 8 points): Its insurance plans are straightforward. It offers a single-released value plan and a full value plan.
• Scheduling (8 out of 8 points): The company ensures accessibility and clear communication by offering multiple contact methods, including phone, email, and chat. Our interactions with Safeway during the research process were consistently pleasant and transparent.
• Additional benefits (4 out of 13 points): Safeway doesn’t guarantee shipment tracking, financing, or other supplementary benefits commonly offered by other movers, but such benefits may be available depending on your move’s specifics.
• Customer service (6 out of 12 points): The company’s reputation suffers due to some of the companies it brokers. Customers report mixed experiences once connected with Safeway’s partners, and the company features a higher-than-average number of issues on its FMCSA page.

Safeway offers a range of moving services, including packing, loading, unloading, and unpacking, as part of its base package. Additionally, it provides the following:

• 24/7 customer service
• Custom crating for fragile items
• Moving assistance for senior citizens 
• Temporary and permanent storage

Safeway provides flat-rate binding estimates for all moves, so you won’t overpay or be stuck with hidden charges. We spoke to a Safeway sales representative, who gave us the sample quotes below. 

• Long-distance sample quote: $4,000–$5,000 (two-bedroom move from Portland, Oregon, to San Francisco)
• Local sample quote: $4,570 (two-bedroom move from Dallas to Austin)
• Deposit: Up to 40%
• Payment accepted: Cash, credit card, certified check, and money order

Safeway has a B- rating on the BBB website due to pricing discrepancies that have caused some customers to write negative reviews. Many recent Reddit threads about Safeway indicate that some customers have accused the company of using bait-and-switch pricing tactics, where the quoted rate increases after the moving crews arrive. However, many positive reviews still praise Safeway’s comprehensive insurance options, transparent quote process, and quality customer service throughout the moving process.

Moving APT (USDOT #: 2247863) is a moving company that offers a unique concierge-style approach. The company is a broker like IMRG, so it connects you with local movers that fit your specific needs. Moving APT has one of the largest networks of independent movers in the industry, which allows it to provide various services such as packing, loading, storage, and vehicle shipping.

Moving APT earned a rating of 4.4 out of 5 stars. Here’s how the company did in each category: 

• Moving services (59 out of 59 points): Moving APT connects you with movers, offering a comprehensive range of standard moving services, including full packing, crating, and vehicle relocation.
• Insurance coverage (5 out of 8 points): It provides a released value protection plan and full value options.
• Scheduling (4 out of 8 points): The company boasts an innovative website but only offers phone scheduling, which may inconvenience some customers.
• Additional benefits (8 out of 13 points): Unlike other providers on this list, the company offers moving truck rentals, enhancing its appeal if you want self-service options. However, it lacks financing options and doesn’t sell packing supplies and materials.
• Customer service (12 out of 12 points): Moving APT boasts a higher customer review score and response rate on its BBB profile than many other providers despite lacking accreditation and holding a B+ rating. Additionally, it features one of the most positive FMCSA profiles on this list, underscoring its commitment to customer satisfaction and safety.

Moving APT provides a wide range of services to help customers with their out-of-state or long-distance moves. These services involve packing, loading, custom crating, and much more. Here are some other services the company can provide for you:

• Cleaning
• Commercial moves
• Shipment tracking
• Temporary and permanent storage
• Vehicle shipping

Moving APT provides a cost calculator tool on its website for instant ballpark pricing. According to reviews and our quote experience, comprehensive pricing is easy to get from this mover. It offers price matching and easy-to-access customer service when booking. We used its online moving cost calculator to get the following price range.

• Long-distance sample quote: $3,566–$6,266 (two-bedroom move from Portland, Oregon, to San Francisco)
• Local sample quote: $1,500–$3,500 (two-bedroom move from Dallas to Austin)
• Deposit: Varies between partners
• Payment accepted: Cash, check, and money order

Moving APT maintains a B+ rating on the BBB’s website but lacks accreditation. However, the nationwide moving broker has garnered an impressive 3.53 out of 5 stars from customer reviews. An analysis of the reviews reveals a distinct trend: most customers praise Moving APT’s efficient online resources and rapid quote turnaround, but many also criticize the company’s lackluster customer service post-booking.

Allied Van Lines (USDOT #: 076235) offers quality full-service moving options and has high customer review scores across multiple platforms, placing it among the best in the industry. Many movers outsource vehicle shipping services, but Allied Van Lines is a full-service mover that offers the rare perk of vehicle relocation services using its trucks. It also provides GPS tracking on all shipments. 

Allied Van Lines earned 4.8 out of 5 stars. Here’s an overview of how it did in each category:

• Moving services (59 out of 59 points): The company offers a comprehensive range of services tailored to meet the needs of most moving customers.
• Insurance coverage (8 out of 8 points): It provides multiple levels of protection to ensure the safety of your belongings during transit.
• Scheduling (8 out of 8 points): Allied Van Lines offers various communication channels, including phone, online chat, and email, facilitating convenient scheduling and coordination.
• Additional benefits (8 out of 13 points): It excels in its core moving services but doesn’t offer financing or moving truck rentals. Additionally, the absence of a moving calculator on its website resulted in a deduction in this category.
• Customer service (12 out of 12 points): Allied Van Lines maintains a positive online reputation, responding to over 90% of complaints on its BBB profile. Its FMCSA profile reports fewer failed inspections than average but has more reports of injuries, crashes, and tows, totaling 39 incidents.

Allied Van Lines provides full packing and unpacking assistance, including disassembling and reassembling your furniture when necessary to complete the move and short- and long-term storage rental. Other services include the following:

• Crating for fragile items 
• Packing supplies 
• Temporary and permanent storage
• Third-party cleaning services

The company’s quote process was fairly easy to navigate, and we contacted it to request the estimate below. You can also get a quick InstaQuote for pricing. This tool yields somewhat accurate estimates, but you shouldn’t consider them binding. We suggest you submit your information or call for a more definitive price.

• Long-distance sample quote: $5,442–$6,312 (two-bedroom move from Portland, Oregon, to San Francisco)
• Local sample quote: $3,344 (two-bedroom move from Dallas to Austin)
• Deposit: None
• Payment accepted: Cash, certified check, check, and money order

Allied Van Lines provides services that have varying levels of quality. The company’s headquarters has an A+ rating, but its listing on the BBB website indicates a low 1.09 out of 5 stars based on customer reviews. Many of the company’s local branches and agents have higher ratings, which suggests that the service standards are inconsistent across its network. This mixed accreditation highlights the difficulty in evaluating a decentralized business model such as Allied’s.

North American Van Lines (NAVL) (USDOT #: 070851) stands out for its full-service moving packages and straightforward pricing. The company also has comprehensive contents protection plans and an easy-to-use claims process. This makes NAVL a great choice if you have expensive belongings. The company provides custom full value plans, so you receive coverage and compensation that matches the actual value of your items rather than a predetermined amount.

NAVL scored a rating of 4.5 out of 5 stars. Here’s how it did in each category:

• Moving services (59 out of 59 points): NAVL offers a comprehensive range of standard moving services, including full and partial packing services.
• Insurance coverage (8 out of 8 points): It receives high marks for its protection plans and insurance offerings. It provides a basic carrier liability protection program called No-Cost Released Value Protection, which, as part of its full-valuation protection program, offers significant coverage for shipments with a minimum value of $6,000 and $6 per pound, surpassing the standard federal law requirement of 60 cents per pound.
• Scheduling (4 out of 8 points): NAVL’s scheduling process is limited to over-the-phone communication, potentially inconveniencing customers seeking alternative booking methods.
• Additional benefits (10 out of 13 points): It offers a range of extra perks, including storage services and GPS tracking. However, it doesn’t provide DIY moving services or financing options, which may deter some customers.
• Customer service (9 out of 12 points): NAVL’s BBB profile features poor reviews, but the company demonstrates responsiveness to complaints, with a response rate of over 90%. Nevertheless, its FMCSA profile raises concerns, with a failed inspection rate of 27.3%, exceeding the national average, and 27 reported crashes in the past two years.

NAVL offers packing, loading, unloading, and unpacking. It also provides various packing supplies to save a trip to the store. Below are other moving services the company offers:

• Appliance installation
• Debris removal
• Temporary and permanent storage 
• Vehicle shipping

NAVL offers binding estimates through virtual and in-home surveys. This benefit provides greater financial peace of mind when paired with the company’s coverage plans and claims process.

• Long-distance sample quote: $4,700–$5,540 (two-bedroom move from Portland, Oregon, to San Francisco)
• Local sample quote: $3,344 (two-bedroom move from Dallas to Austin)
• Deposit: None
• Payment accepted: Cash, certified check, money order, check

NAVL’s corporate headquarters holds an A+ rating and accreditation from the BBB, but it also has a concerning 1.12 out of 5-star customer review score. Additional poor reviews are found across the internet, with recent Reddit threads containing many. Our team found many scathing reviews of the company’s communication lapses, but also accounts of smooth moves from happy customers.

Mayflower (USDOT #: 125563) is a reputable residential mover offering comprehensive relocation solutions for local and long-distance moves. With a large fleet of over 800 trucks, Mayflower can efficiently handle moves of any size across the continental United States. The company excels in catering to complex long-distance moves of larger, upscale homes. Mayflower has specialized crews trained to handle high-value items and customized options for estate moves. It’s ideal for families transitioning to high-end properties comprising five or more bedrooms.

Mayflower received 4.8 out of 5 stars. Here’s how it did across our key categories: 

• Moving services (59 out of 59 points): Mayflower offers a complete array of services for long-distance relocations, including full packing, partial packing, vehicle shipping, crating, and piano moving.
• Insurance coverage (8 out of 8 points): It provides multiple contents protection plans tailored to your budget and shipment’s total value.
• Scheduling (8 out of 8 points): You can conveniently schedule your move with Mayflower through online or over-the-phone booking options.
• Additional benefits (10 out of 13 points): Mayflower enhances its moving services with GPS tracking and operates as a moving supplies store. However, it doesn’t offer financing or moving truck rentals.
• Customer service (10 out of 12 points): It demonstrates responsiveness to over 90% of complaints on UniGroup’s BBB page, its parent company. However, Mayflower has a failed FMCSA inspection rate of 23.2%, close to the national average, and has reported 29 crashes in the last two years.

Mayflower provides various moving services, including packing and loading. Other services consist of the following:

• Crating
• GPS tracking
• Packing supplies
• Storage
• Vehicle shipping

Have an inventory list ready when you call Mayflower for a quote. A moving coordinator will collect information about your move, including your origin and destination addresses and a full inventory. It will assign a binding estimate for your move and requires no deposit for booking. We worked with a Mayflower rep to generate the following ballpark estimate. 

• Long-distance sample quote: $3,500–$4,500 (for a two-bedroom move from Portland, Oregon, to San Francisco)
• Local sample quote: $3,800 (two-bedroom move from Dallas to Austin)
• Deposit: None required
• Payment accepted: Cash, traveler’s check, cashier’s check, and money order

Mayflower’s parent company, UniGroup, has an A+ BBB rating. Some reviewers criticize in-home estimates for not accurately reflecting final costs. Recent threads suggest an increase in positive consumer sentiment compared to a few years ago, indicating operational improvements at Mayflower.

JK Moving Services (USDOT #: 1065394) provides excellent packing, crating, and antique moving assistance. It trains its crews at an on-site facility that simulates moving within an actual home. JK Moving tailors your moving package to your budget and needs. Another standout feature is that customers can finance their moves, an uncommon offering in the moving industry. Some customers can get rates as low as 0% same-as-cash, depending on their credit score.

JK Moving earned 4.7 out of 5 stars on our rating scale. Here’s how it did in each category:

• Moving services (59 out of 59 points): JK Moving offers customizable moving packages, including full-pack and partial-pack options, crating, and specialty services tailored for items such as antiques and artwork.
• Insurance coverage (5 out of 8 points): The company provides basic and full value insurance plans but doesn’t offer additional coverage despite extensive financing options.
• Scheduling (8 out of 8 points): JK Moving provides flexible scheduling through phone and online platforms, allowing for detailed virtual or in-person quotes.
• Additional benefits (10 out of 13 points): It offers several perks, including financing programs, storage solutions, and GPS tracking. However, it lacks online tools for estimating moving costs.
• Customer service (12 out of 12 points): JK Moving boasts high customer satisfaction rates online and maintains a solid FMCSA profile, with only one injury and two tows reported, underscoring its commitment to quality service and safety.

JK Moving’s full-service packages are customizable, enabling you to match a preferred set of services to your move plan. You can pack your home inventory or leave the work to JK Moving’s vetted and trained employees. Fragile-only packing is an option, and you can request add-on services such as vehicle shipping and storage. Here are the company’s additional moving services:

• Government moves
• International moves 
• Office moves and IT removal
• Shipment tracking 
• Temporary and permanent storage

JK Moving customizes its moving packages based on individual customers’ needs, so the company doesn’t feature sample pricing online. We got a ballpark estimate from JK Moving’s sales team for the sample quote below. This quote includes furniture disassembly, wrapping and padding, loading, unloading, and full value protection.

• Long-distance sample quote: $5,600–$6,622 (two-bedroom move from Portland, Oregon, to San Francisco)
• Local sample quote: $3,781 (two-bedroom move from Dallas to Austin)
• Deposit: $250 up-front
• Payment accepted: Cash and credit card

JK Moving has a great reputation compared to other providers in this review, with an A+ rating on its BBB profile and high scores on various review platforms. Customers highly rate the company’s moving crews and financing options. However, some reports suggest that the company’s quality can be inconsistent. For example, some Reddit reviews mention damaged goods.